Geography & Economy

Norfolk's boundaries are geographical, with the coast to the north and east, the Rivers Waveney and Little Ouse to the south, and the Fens to the west. Although the county has a reputation for being flat this is only strictly true of the Fens and part of the Broads, although the hills are low compared with other parts of the country. In the Middle Ages Norfolk was one of the country's most prosperous counties, with the county town of Norwich England's second largest city for some time. However, Norfolk was largely passed over by the Industrial Revolution and so remains largely rural. It was once known for wool, with the village of Worstead in the northeast giving its name to a particular fabric. Although the county is coastal, erosion and silting have rendered former ports inaccessible and only King's Lynn and Great Yarmouth now have enough water in which to sail a boat. Tourism is now a major industry, with The Broads and coastal resorts like Cromer frequently visited.

Roads

Norfolk is well served by its road network. However, owing to its location, Norfolk is a destination rather than a country travelled through en route and so the roads are not necessarily of quality found elsewhere. There are no motorways in the county, for example, and only two trunk roads. Highways England maintain the A47, which crosses the centre of the county east-west, and the A11 which runs southwest of Norwich. Most non-trunk roads are maintained by Norfolk County Council.